Proper Way to Deal with a Bad Sermon

[KostyaJMJ]

Suppose the priest is in the middle of a truly bizarre or heretical sermon. What is the best way to deal with it? Can you go outside until after the sermon is over or should you leave and go to mass somewhere else? Does staying for the readings but missing the sermon fulfill your Sunday obligation?

 

[puzzleannie]

Suppose the priest is in the middle of a truly bizarre or heretical sermon. What is the best way to deal with it? Can you go outside until after the sermon is over or should you leave and go to mass somewhere else? Does staying for the readings but missing the sermon fulfill your Sunday obligation?

you don’t go anywhere, you stay put, unless you are able to go to Mass someplace else. take notes so when you report to the bishop your signed letter is concise and accurate. the content of the sermon has no effect on the validity of the Eucharist. be very careful about using words like “heretical” unless you are well enough educated in the Faith to differentiate dissent and muddy thinking from true heresy.

 

[KostyaJMJ]

you don’t go anywhere, you stay put, unless you are able to go to Mass someplace else. take notes so when you report to the bishop your signed letter is concise and accurate. the content of the sermon has no effect on the validity of the Eucharist. be very careful about using words like “heretical” unless you are well enough educated in the Faith to differentiate dissent and muddy thinking from true heresy.

The sermon wasn’t coherent enough to make out if the priest was saying anything in English much less if what he was saying was heretical. You’re right, I’ll stay away from saying anything is heretical unless it is crystal clear.

I was getting really tempted to find one of my children that needed a diaper change, and then mercifully it was over.

 

[ohioszo]

Someone I know, who had just divorced, could not bear any homily that had to do with marriage and fidelity. I even think that for awhile she simply ignored the homilies. Even though the readings should likely have offended her newly divorced situation, she didn’t complain about the Gospel. One time, I heard an Epistle of Paul’s, which precipitated a confession and I said to the Priest that it was the Gospel, and the Priest said, it wasn’t the Gospel! God speaks to us through others, whether it is a homily or the Bible, or one’s friend, perhaps something symbolic. You who put such strictures on words, forget that God is in charge. The Bishop, who gave you the Priest, has enough problems then to hear from someone about a homily. We actually have homilists who are our Deacons. I don’t even know if I would say to pray a rosary during that time. Start a study group on Sunday’s readings? Maybe! We have one at our Parish, studying with 150 signups. Magnificat has homiletic readings. If the homily didn’t appeal to you, tell the Priest directly. For a Deacon, discuss with your Pastor, maybe! Ditto if you just didn’t hear the homily …

I can imagine a lot of non-church goers sympathizing with you. We need to be grateful, at this time, for what we have! With parishes closing, and Priests retiring, I think that the Bishop is stretched thin on assignments. We have just added a Priest from Kerala, India!

 

[Pregustator]

I was at a wedding recently at which the celebrant babbled an endless catalogue of complete nonsense, and when it got to the point where I just couldn’t bear it any longer, I got up and went to the men’s room. When it still wasn’t over upon exiting the washroom, I went outside a bit, then returned, sat down, and just tuned him out as I distracted myself with the hymnals and missalettes.

Yes, you fulfill your obligation, even if you don’t pay attention to the sermon. Some aren’t worth paying attention to.

 

[ohioszo]

The bathroom used to have access to hearing the Mass. When I left during a sermon on abortion, needing to go actually, there were people, per usual, sitting out. I’m not sure that the speakers to the outer rooms and bathroom are always used, turned on. I regret taking my niece to the restroom, many years ago, and, allowing her to play on the steps as she is now a JW.

Just wanted to add, if there is anyone reading, that I went to a talk, from a woman appointed by the Bishop to do so, on a talk about the Eucharist. And, I believe that I heard her say that Marian spirituality did not have its place in the Eucharist. She moved on quickly from that, and I was sure I was being indicted for praying the Rosary daily, and, allowing Our Lady make me a better minister of the Eucharist. Later, much later, I mentioned it to some person who was older, a book reader, who had attended the same talk, and he said that he had not heard that comment from her. By that time, I had been entirely affected by that comment, which, I guess, is heretical.

Just wanted to tone down my preaching and say that I understand and sympathize. Certain comments do stay with a person for a very long time, especially odd comments during homilies. One Priest said to leave Mass quietly, and even, not talk afterwords. Everyone quite yacks it up, and, was I the only one who remembers? Or the Priest who talked about the love bomb of prayer, who is now suspect of abuse? Or the Priest with the wonder bread analogy, who is now married to a Mennonite?

So, see if you can clear it up with your Pastor, or the Priest himself. It may be good for a laugh!

 

[Thoughtfulone]

It is just plain rude to get up and leave when someone (ANYONE) is talking, let alone a man of God. Unless you are protesting something gravely offensive (which I doubt, since it was during a Mass), I would just stay put and try to pay attention to the best of my ability. The homily is an important part of Mass, and the priest just might say something that God wants you to hear.

 

[seagal]

Just wanted to add, if there is anyone reading, that I went to a talk, from a woman appointed by the Bishop to do so, on a talk about the Eucharist. And, I believe that I heard her say that Marian spirituality did not have its place in the Eucharist. She moved on quickly from that, and I was sure I was being indicted for praying the Rosary daily, and, allowing Our Lady make me a better minister of the Eucharist. Later, much later, I mentioned it to some person who was older, a book reader, who had attended the same talk, and he said that he had not heard that comment from her. By that time, I had been entirely affected by that comment, which, I guess, is heretical.

The woman you heard speaking was correct, there is no place for Marian spirituality in the Eucharist. But that’s not the same as saying you shouldn’t pray the Rosary daily. They are two completely different things. What she meant (I’m guessing) was that songs to Mary or praying the rosary have no place in the Mass, where the focus should be Jesus. There’s nothing wrong with your devotion to Mary or asking her to help you in your ministry.

I was at a wedding recently at which the celebrant babbled an endless catalogue of complete nonsense, and when it got to the point where I just couldn’t bear it any longer, I got up and went to the men’s room. When it still wasn’t over upon exiting the washroom, I went outside a bit, then returned, sat down, and just tuned him out as I distracted myself with the hymnals and missalettes.

Yes, you fulfill your obligation, even if you don’t pay attention to the sermon. Some aren’t worth paying attention to.

It is just plain rude to get up and leave when someone (ANYONE) is talking, let alone a man of God. Unless you are protesting something gravely offensive (which I doubt, since it was during a Mass), I would just stay put and try to pay attention to the best of my ability. The homily is an important part of Mass, and the priest just might say something that God wants you to hear.

Hear, hear!

 

[Pregustator]

It is just plain rude to get up and leave when someone (ANYONE) is talking, let alone a man of God. Unless you are protesting something gravely offensive (which I doubt, since it was during a Mass), I would just stay put and try to pay attention to the best of my ability. The homily is an important part of Mass, and the priest just might say something that God wants you to hear.

Nah. If the sermon is ****, go to the john. Same thing, different place.

 

[NE_Catholic]

Suppose the priest is in the middle of a truly bizarre or heretical sermon. What is the best way to deal with it? Can you go outside until after the sermon is over or should you leave and go to mass somewhere else? Does staying for the readings but missing the sermon fulfill your Sunday obligation?

you can always read the Missilette or ony of the Mass Books. It’s rare when I’m offended by a sermon, but that would be my route.

 

[PacoG]

Nah. If the sermon is ****, go to the john. Same thing, different place.

Is this crudeness really necessary?

 

[OraLabora]

The sermon wasn’t coherent enough to make out if the priest was saying anything in English much less if what he was saying was heretical. You’re right, I’ll stay away from saying anything is heretical unless it is crystal clear.

I was getting really tempted to find one of my children that needed a diaper change, and then mercifully it was over.

I’m not clear based on your comments whether it was a theologically unsound sermon, just a poor public speaker, or a priest who wasn’t speaking in his first language.

The first one is a serious issue, the other two, simply something we must endure from time to time. But in all cases I don’t think that the ability of the priest to confect the Eucharist is affected, and the Eucharist remains valid unless he deliberately messed up the words of the consecration.

I always try to keep in mind that we are a Christ-centric Church, and by that I mean Christ made really and wholly present on the altar at the consecration of the bread and wine. We are not a preaching-centric or Bible-centric Church, unlike many Protestant denominations. My Protestant wife once asked how the sermon was at Mass one particular Sunday, and honestly it was one that didn’t stick to me at all (in spite of not being a bad sermon), and I simply replied “I didn’t especially notice, and the sermon isn’t the reason I go to Mass”.

Don’t take it to mean that I never pay attention to the sermon, but that particular day it simply didn’t reach out to me, and the fact is that I don’t go to Mass specifically for the homily, I go there for the Eucharist and accept that the homily is part of the overall liturgy.

So in my case I would simply grit my teeth and bear the poor homily, and wait for it to be over with so we could move on to the Eucharist. If poor theology, or outright rebellion against Church teaching were an issue with that particular priest every Sunday, then I would have an issue with continuing to go to Mass there. But even if there was a theological whopper in the sermon, if it isn’t a habitual thing we just simply have to accept that to err is human and not make a big deal of it.

 

[saveusfromhell]

at a novena last sunday the priest talked about the need for change in the church, women priests, gay marriage and couples who haven’t married need to be recognised, the need to change the structure as in rome having control. he said we all need to help contribute to aid this change. he brought it up about a woman who called for a boycott of mass throughout ireland on a given sunday as a way of protesting to the church although he did say you could question her method.
I sent an email to bishop and inculded his email address ( i don’t know this priest he came in for the novena) he replied back denying he said this i asked him to forward copy of his sermon but to no avail.
since then it has gotten reported in the local paper as he got a round of applause after his sermon

 

[SunshineZA]

at a novena last sunday the priest talked about the need for change in the church, women priests, gay marriage and couples who haven’t married need to be recognised, the need to change the structure as in rome having control. he said we all need to help contribute to aid this change. he brought it up about a woman who called for a boycott of mass throughout ireland on a given sunday as a way of protesting to the church although he did say you could question her method.
I sent an email to bishop and inculded his email address ( i don’t know this priest he came in for the novena) he replied back denying he said this i asked him to forward copy of his sermon but to no avail.
since then it has gotten reported in the local paper as he got a round of applause after his sermon

My sympathy is with you.

In line with the thread; Would discussing the homely with the “bad homely Priest” not clarify the matter and bring about improvement in future homelies, esp. if English is not the Priests home language?

S.

 

[Bookcat]

Suppose the priest is in the middle of a truly bizarre or heretical sermon. What is the best way to deal with it? Can you go outside until after the sermon is over or should you leave and go to mass somewhere else? Does staying for the readings but missing the sermon fulfill your Sunday obligation?

Aaaaa…perhaps Holy Water??

If it was really heretical (like contraception is ok…or Jesus is not God…)…I would walk out and go to another Mass…

 

[SimonDodd]

The sermon wasn’t coherent enough to make out if the priest was saying anything in English much less if what he was saying was heretical. You’re right, I’ll stay away from saying anything is heretical unless it is crystal clear.

Perhaps speak to him afterwards and say “Father, I’m sorry, your microphone seemed to be having terrible trouble during the homily today. I could barely understand a word! Could you help me understand the general point you were making?”

ohioszo:

When I left during a sermon on abortion, needing to go [to the restroom], there were people, per usual, sitting out.

As in, people who disagreed with what was being said? The homily was out of line with the Church’s teaching, or the out-sitters were?

I went to a talk … about the Eucharist … [in which the speaker] sa[id] that Marian spirituality did not have its place in the Eucharist …, which, I guess, is heretical.

Setting aside the question of whether the statement is correct, I’m hard-pushed to see how it’s heresy. Which truth that must be believed with divine and catholic faith would it deny to say that Marian spirituality doesn’t have a place in the Eucharist?

 

[Maresiedotes]

Priests are human. They all need our prayers. The Holy Spirit can work wonders if we pray!

 

[OraLabora]

Priests are human. They all need our prayers. The Holy Spirit can work wonders if we pray!

Indeed! One priest I met once joked that priests were only allowed two minor theological errors per homily

 

[joandarc2008]

at a novena last sunday the priest talked about the need for change in the church, women priests, gay marriage and couples who haven’t married need to be recognised, the need to change the structure as in rome having control. he said we all need to help contribute to aid this change. he brought it up about a woman who called for a boycott of mass throughout ireland on a given sunday as a way of protesting to the church although he did say you could question her method.
I sent an email to bishop and inculded his email address ( i don’t know this priest he came in for the novena) he replied back denying he said this i asked him to forward copy of his sermon but to no avail.
since then it has gotten reported in the local paper as he got a round of applause after his sermon

St Therese of Avila had a priest in her area that was having an affair with a woman. Other women told her she should not go to confession with this priest. She went anyway. Every time she went she asked if her penance could be to pray for him. Finally he was so touched by the Holy Spirit he broke down and changed his ways. Brother JR told me this story when I was having issues with a priest in my area. God bless.

 

[RosaryCrusader]

Suppose the priest is in the middle of a truly bizarre or heretical sermon. What is the best way to deal with it? Can you go outside until after the sermon is over or should you leave and go to mass somewhere else? Does staying for the readings but missing the sermon fulfill your Sunday obligation?

Depends on whether or not you have family present.

Actually I take that back.

Here’s what you do:

(heretical sermon)

YOU: Get up and leave in the middle of the sermon (even better for effect if you have a family w/ 4+ children)

[edited]
If you’re married (w/ children) and you’re putting you’re entire family at risk by attending a heretical Priest’s Mass remember what Christ said about scandalizing His little ones. (think mill stone) and high tail it out of there followed by PROMPT letters to your Bishop with a CC to your local Priest.

[edited]

YOU ARE GOING TO BE JUDGED, NOT ONLY FOR YOUR ACTIONS, BUT FOR YOUR ACTIONS AS A HUSBAND / FATHER. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE UNDER YOU CARE.

Do not flirt w/ heresy.

Get out of there and be done with them.

Never again.

God Bless,

Rosary Crusader